BY STAFF REPORTER
The struggle of Ethiopian diaspora in various countries recently has demonstrated that staying far away from home does not necessarily keep peoples heart and mind far from home.
Early November last year Ethiopia plunged in to an unprecedented level of crisis which is instigated by the terrorist TPLF group against the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). As the government and people at home set out to fend of the calculated attack, the terrorist junta’s cliques abroad relayed their destructive works in different ways.
Those who live in counties especially the United States and Europe were striving to get economic sanctions and other forms of political pressure levied on Ethiopia through spreading fake information that accuse the government of Ethiopia. Indeed these countries were highly influenced by the well-organized propaganda campaign of the terrorist group and its cliques and were on the verge of imposing various sanctions against Ethiopia.
Amid their deceptive operation the Ethiopian diaspora stepped in to rescue their nation from the looming threat. Accordingly they have been actively engaged in disclosing the reality about the law enforcement operation, the government’s efforts to restore peace and stability in Tigray as well as to distribute humanitarian aid, among others.
More over they have also been contributing money to assist the various local endeavors and prevent the possible problem that the country could face due to shortage of funding.
On top of this the diaspora have extended their support to the ongoing efforts of safeguarding the sovereignty of their nation. Among these contributions is their recent financial support to the national defense forces who are deployed to safeguard their nation from the destructive war being waged by the terrorist junta.
According to Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, in less than a month, the Diaspora has raised over 28 million birr in cash and in kind in support of the Defense Forces, according to an online discussion organized by FDRE missions and Diaspora organizers organized by the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kena Yadeta, Minister of Defense of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), said the fundraising and security activities planned to assist the war for survival in Ethiopia are more than planned. In terms of security, the committees set up are doing their job properly.
He recalled that citizens both at home and abroad, had raised their voices in support of the threat posed by Ethiopia›s existence, adding that the younger generation was working to join the army in an unprecedented move in Ethiopia›s history. He called on the Diaspora to continue its moral and material support and reaffirm its commitment to the country.
The State Minister for Defense of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Martha Luigi, thanked the Diaspora for its support in mobilizing resources for the Defense Forces and in the field of public diplomacy.
She said the ongoing activities in the Diaspora and at home is a major morale booster for the Defense Forces. The Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit, welcomed the participants and said that the forum is ready to discuss ways to strengthen the Diaspora›s support to the Defense Forces. She recalled that the Diaspora has raised about 700 million Birr in the first round of support to the Defense Forces and the victims.
She said more than 28 million birr has been collected in less than a month since the start of the second round. She also expressed hope that better resources could be mobilized for the Defense Forces by discussing the problems and good experiences encountered during the fundraising process.
Honorable Ambassadors of FDRE missions to Washington, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, South Africa and Canada, who participated in the forum, presented their work in terms of fundraising.
Leaders of the Ethiopian Diaspora in various parts of the world, for their part, said they are mobilizing the Diaspora and mobilizing resources for national projects and current calls.
She said the Diaspora is working to safeguard Ethiopia›s interests by collecting wealth through public diplomacy.
She reaffirmed that the Diaspora is always ready to help the country in any situation and that they are still raising funds for the army for the second time with great patriotism.
Better government benefits can be ensured if the government sets up a system of regular fundraising from the diaspora.
The Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit, responded to the suggestions made by His Excellency Ambassadors and Diaspora Organizations, and reaffirmed that the Agency will work with the concerned bodies to establish a permanent fundraising system for the Diaspora.
The Ethiopian Herald August 17/2021
